The New York Rockmarket » Dark Was the Nighthttp://newyorkrockmarket.com
Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:01:27 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4Recommended Sunday Show: Dark Was the Night at Radio City Music Hallhttp://newyorkrockmarket.com/2009/05/03/recommended-sunday-show-dark-was-the-night-at-radio-city-music-hall/
http://newyorkrockmarket.com/2009/05/03/recommended-sunday-show-dark-was-the-night-at-radio-city-music-hall/#commentsSun, 03 May 2009 18:04:36 +0000New York Rock Markethttp://newyorkrockmarket.com/?p=972So this is a pretty last minute post (my weekend consisted of going from NYC to NJ to Philly for band practice, back to NJ to visit my nephew, back to NYC for way too much dancing last night, and now finally Brooklyn again- I didn’t have a spare minute to post until now), but I couldn’t not make today’s recommended show the Dark Was the Night concert at Radio City Music Hall. People have been calling this AIDS charity compilation a “moment in music history” and I wouldn’t miss being at this show for the world. Not only do you get Bon Iver, David Byrne, Dirty Projectors, Feist, My Brightest Diamond, The National, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and Dave Sitek, but all of the proceeds go to charity. Plus, Grizzly Bear is around right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they show up. Tickets are still available.

UPDATE: Just got back from the show. There was no Grizzly Bear, but it was a wonderful night of music. It started off with Dirty Projectors and David Byrne playing together, and it only got better from there. Radio City is so impressive and the sound is so crisp. That’s probably the only opportunity I’ll have to hear many of those bands somewhere so beautiful. My Brightest Diamond was gorgeous. The National were great as always. Bon Iver was hauntingly beautiful, even in such a large venue. I felt so lucky to hear him collab both with the National and Feist, who played a few songs with just her and the guitar. He presence is incredible. David Byrne was absolutely fantastic, playful and fun, and such a confident, cool performer. And of course, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings ended the evening with their high-energy and show-stopping funk. Everyone came out at the end to sing “This Land Is Your Land” in honor of Seeger, until Sharon Jones came back out and showed everyone how to do the “Dap Kings” version. Incredible. Sorry all of my descriptors are “awesome” and “incredible,” but I’m so overwhelmed by how good it all was that that’s all I can really muster for now. Truly, a show for the history books.

There’s a new National track on the Dark Was the Night myspace for today and today only. You won’t get a chance to hear it again until the comp comes out in February! I missed Grizzly Bear’s yesterday, but the National are another favorite of mine. Keep checking back in the next few days to hear other bands’ tracks for the comp (a ton of stellar bands will be on the disc like Yeasayer, Beirut, Arcade Fire, Spoon, the list goes on and on).

Dark Was the Night is a compilation of music that benefits the Red Hot organization, which raises funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS.